Clearing up some questions

The best part about writing a column is the readers that I meet, appreciate and learn from. (Maybe one day I'll even learn not to use a preposition at the end of a sentence.)

Charles MosleyGuest Columnist

The best part about writing a column is the readers that I meet, appreciate and learn from. (Maybe one day I'll even learn not to use a preposition at the end of a sentence.)We meet at Rouses, via email, walking our dogs, just hanging out and conversing and myriad other interactions. (Caution: I don't tweet, text, Facebook, Myspace or smoke signal.)My friend Carl Washington, who recently was pictured in this paper for being chosen Thibodaux Regional Medical Center's Employee of the Year, surprised me with the information that the Ku Klux Klan has gone out of business.Thinking that I should have known that, I asked him if he was sure, and why did they go out of business.I figured that could only happen if someone won a judgment that stripped the KKK of all its assets including hoods, sheets and name.Carl told me that they went out of business because the KKK sees hood-wearing black males killing black people faster and in greater numbers than the Klan ever did.So the KKK is no longer needed.Furthermore, Carl points out, the KKK sees black people letting their hood-wearing sons, brothers and other black men instill fear and terror into their communities just like the KKK did.Just as the hooded KKK rode through black communities causing black people to cower and hide in fear, that same fear is the reason for the “culture of silence” that permits the killings to continue.Is fear the basis for allowing and accepting the disrespect for family and community as well as lack of self-respect, self-image and self-esteem as shown by the “sagging” style of too many black males?Carl should be paid to deliver his true — but sad — perspective to all black people in America.We didn't know how good we had it with only the KKK to worry about.David, who read my column about Tina Turner and citizenship, emailed me with his answers to some questions I rambled over in the column.I mused over whether an American could really denounce or relinquish citizenship.Could a person hold three, four or more citizenships at the same time?And would a person be liable for income taxes in all countries in which he holds citizenships?David informed me that the correct term is “renounce,” not “denounce” and that U.S. law makes a distinction between renouncing and relinquishing citizenship.He says a person renounces U.S. citizenship by voluntarily declaring such renunciation to the U.S., usually, but not necessarily, after acquiring another citizenship. The person goes to a U.S. embassy, fills in a form and receives a certificate. Under U.S. law, a person relinquishes citizenship by declaring allegiance to another country with the intention of losing U.S. citizenship. Without such intention, the person keeps U.S. citizenship. There are two differences, David points out.In relinquishing the person is considered to have lost U.S. citizenship on the date of declaring allegiance to another country, even if notification to the U.S. is done years later. If renouncing, the person only loses U.S. citizenship on the date of the renunciation to the U.S. The U.S. charges a $450 fee for renunciation, but relinquishing is free. I guess that is the U.S. way of saying “good riddance.”As far as holding two or more citizenships, David offers the answer that some countries don't allow their citizens to hold more than one. Countries that do allow their citizens to hold more than one citizenship (the U.S. included) put no limit on the number.Regarding taxes, David says that usually people are taxed based on income earned in a country, not residence or citizenship. But he does point out the exceptions, the United States and Eritrea, the only countries that tax is based on citizenship and earned income.David's answers are really helpful (saves me the work) and I am sure the readers who were curious about the answers are appreciative of his contribution. But one little thing, David, you started off stating you were “clarifying my misconceptions” and “correcting my terms.” David, an old lion still has pride. Careful, kid!

Charles Mosley, a former head of the Lafourche NAACP, lives in Thibodaux. Email him at charlesmosley3@hotmail.com.

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